Kindergarten

Kindergarten

Kindergarten Teachers: Mrs. Ovalle & Mrs. Whatley

Newsletter

Welcome to Kindergarten! There are many wonderful events students will get to participate in this year. Students will be learning how to complete work as a group. Students will be able to participate in many fun activities including, in-school field trips, Johnny Appleseed Day, Pumpkin Day, Stone Soup, Christmas Crafternoons, the 100th Day of School, Chinese New Year and many other exciting things. School begins at 7:45 with prayer in Cargill Hall. Those who are tardy and absent will be logged into FACTS SIS (RenWeb). A weekly newsletter goes home to keep parents updated on upcoming events and teaching topics. Daily work is checked and corrected. Kindergarten students do not receive numerical grades. Report cards will reflect progress using S, P, N-Satisfactory, Progressing, Needs Attention.

Overall

• Students will begin completing their work as a whole group with help from the document camera.
• Students will receive individualized or small group assistance as needed.
• Students will take turns completing work under the document camera to become more confident among peers.
• During the second semester, student will begin completing more work independently to prepare for 1st grade.

S.T.R.E.A.M.

• S.T.R.E.A.M. stands for the learning areas of: science, technology, religion, engineering, art, and math.
• Students will use and learn through S.T.R.E.A.M. in the ways listed below.

Science

• Students will be able to observe and investigate multiple scientific topics including plant and animal life cycles, insects, reptiles, and the concept of sink/float.
• Students will experience scientific topics by completing investigations as a group and independently to support science growth. 

Technology

• Students will learn basic computer skills (how to turn it on/off, open different programs).
• Students have access to computers and tablets in the classroom which help them engage in the daily lessons.

Religion

• Students will be expected to participate and have reverent manners in Mass.
• Students will be expected to complete the Sign of the Cross correctly.
• Students will be expected to memorize the Our Father and the Hail Mary.
• Students will be expected to show respect towards God and others.

Reading/Language Arts

• Students will learn and practice each letter and sound.
• Spelling and Phonics books will be used to practice blending short vowels.
• Long Vowels will be introduced.
• Students are assessed individually to determine their reading level and assigned books.
• SRA and AR programs will be introduced to students who need something more challenging.
• Students will be expected to write correctly within the top, middle, and base line.
• Students will practice spelling tests during the 3rd quarter.

Mathematics

• Students will be able to identify colors, shapes, and patterns.
• Students will be writing numbers to 20.
• Students will be identifying numbers to 50.
• Students will be able to count to 100 by 1’s, 5’s, and 10’s.
• Students will be introduced to addition and subtraction in the second semester.
• Students will also be given a Mathletics computer code so they may practice strategies at home.

Centers

• Students will use different centers throughout the day to experience hands on activities that reinforce the lessons.
• Centers include Building Blocks, Math, Art, Writing, Reading, and Home Center.
• Centers are important for a student to engage in unstructured learning and be able to apply the daily lessons independently.

Social Studies

• Students will practice memorizing their address and phone number.
• Students will be memorizing the Pledge of Allegiance and the Texas Pledge.
• Students will be expected to follow rules and procedures.

Guidance/Social Skills

• Students will learn and practice how to interact and listen to their peers.
• Students will learn and practice how to be respectful toward their peers by taking turns and sharing.
• Students will learn and practice the difference between right and wrong and that there are consequences for their actions.
• Students will be encouraged to use their words to express their feelings.
• Students will have daily recess to promote physical activities and social skills.

Homework

• A Kindergarten Skills List is attached to the Daily Folder. Homework can be anything on this list that hasn’t been marked off yet, or you can go over the daily work that has been sent home.
• Reading for 5-10 minutes should also be done every night.
• Homework should not take more than 15-20 minutes a night.